In the 1810s, there was a huge push of people toward the west coast of the United States. The Oregon Trail and the California coastline was the prime location for pioneers to settle for decades. Since then, there have been different patterns of movement and migration in the states. Now, the movement seems to have shifted. Southern states seem to have drawn many new residents in recent years. Quality of life is a major priority for those who are relocating to a new state. Texas is one of the top states to which people and businesses are relocating. Are you joining the big movement to Texas? Read on to learn about what to do before you relocate to Texas.

Location matters. The great state of Texas is truly great; it extends nearly 1000 miles from north to south and about 1000 miles from east to west, covering a lot of ground! It is important that when you relocate to Texas, you land in just the right place for you. Research different neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Whether your top priority is good school districts or abundant amenities, you will want to be sure to choose a location that strikes the right balance for you, your work, and your lifestyle.

Know before you go. These days, it is so easy to look at homes, schools, and businesses from the comfort of your home, online. However, there is nothing like making an in-person visit to your potential new town before you make the big move. It’s a good idea to take a trip to Texas, to travel the roads, and to see the towns you are considering rather than committing to a community sight unseen.

Educate yourself about education. Many cities in Texas are home to fabulous institutions of higher education. This proximity to higher learning—including a bustling college community and plenty of cultural activity—can be a great influence on surrounding towns. In addition, if you are moving with young children, researching school districts should be a priority. Consider the proximity to schools your children will attend, graduation rates, school rankings, and even the availability of preferred extracurriculars.

Make a Texas-sized budget. Planning financially for a move to Texas is a wise thing to do. In addition to estimating and planning for relocation costs, it can be helpful to map out your predicted monthly costs ahead of time. Some of these Texas-based budget items might include estimates for utilities, groceries, transportation, and housing costs.

Texas taxes. Each state has a multi-faceted tax system. While Texas is known for benefits like having no income tax there is tax on property. The state has no inheritance or estate taxes, but it does have state sales tax, certain real estate taxes, and some other tax responsibilities to get familiar with before your relocation. Connecting with local accountants can be helpful as you become a Texas taxpayer.

Be ready to work. Texas is well known for having quite a business-friendly climate. If you’re a business owner, you might want to research the best locations in the state for your company to land. Consider certain regions that specialize in particular industries. If you’re planning to work remotely, perhaps you will focus on your community and home office space. There are some work-oriented factors to consider such as the cost of doing business, the presence of a workforce, and any business regulations that could affect your work.

Get connected. Whether you are part of a family looking for nice new neighbors or a part of a company that is moving to the Lone Star State, networking is important. Try to reach out to neighbors in your new community—perhaps via social media neighborhood pages ahead of time—to learn more about services, tips, and happenings in your new town. Work with an organization like the Texas Economic Development Connection to get in touch with other businesses and business owners so you can make some great industry contacts.

Seek out trusted advisors. The Texas Economic Development Connection can help you relocate to Texas. We have a team of certified economic developers who work in cooperation with governmental agencies, chambers of commerce, and other economic development organizations throughout the state. Our aim is to support businesses and the families that come with them as they expand or relocate to Texas. There are so many opportunities to be found in Texas; we want to help you find them. Expanding your company or moving to Texas can be a challenge. We can connect you with experts who have useful market intelligence and years of experience to help you land in just the right place in the Lone Star State.

Learn more about the Texas Economic Development Connection at our website, or check out our Relocation Planning Tool online.